An advocate for Environmental Sustainability.
A volunteer who provides aid to the needy.
A leader who spearheads events.
These are the many hats worn by Heng Ek Khun, Spencer (Year 3, Environmental Studies), a NUS Community Impact scholarship recipient.
Each year, NUS awards a Mid-Term Community Impact Scholarship to a select group of NUS undergraduates who exhibit leadership qualities in the conceptualising, planning and execution of projects in the areas of community service, and/or environmental sustainability.
A year after receiving his scholarship, Spencer sheds light on the motivation behind his acts of service, what he has done in the past year, and his hopes for the future.
OSA: How did you begin your journey in this field?
Spencer: Since young, I’ve wanted to pursue a field that was different from my peers. Reflecting on the harmful practices of human activities such as deforestation and wastage issues and their impacts on climate change, I was convinced to pursue my passion in environmental conservation and sustainability. I aspire to make a difference through my contributions to the environment.
Knowing that there are disadvantaged communities in Singapore such as the vulnerable elderly seniors and families who are living alone in rented flats, I wanted to contribute towards making a positive difference in their lives.
OSA: How has your scholarship enabled you to develop your passion at NUS?
Spencer: This scholarship has motivated me to continue dedicating myself towards the public education of local biodiversity through nature guided walks led by my NUS CCA, BES Drongos. Since it was founded in 2014, we have provided free public guided walks to nature reserves and parks such as Thomson Nature Park and Kent Ridge Park to raise awareness and interests on the importance of biodiversity conservation in Singapore.
I am also honoured to serve with OSA’s Sustainability Task Force and work with NUS student groups to ensure their sustainable consumption of material goods.
Spencer (fourth from left) at NParks’ Youth Stewards for Nature Closing Ceremony 2024, showcasing the planned heritage tree programme for the Nature Kakis Network.
OSA: How have you made a difference to the environment?
I volunteered with the Youth Stewards for Nature cause under the Nature Kakis project to plan and execute programmes. One such programme is the Arboriculture Induction Programme which aimed to raise awareness of the heritage trees in Singapore.
OSA: Could you tell us more about your work with disadvantaged communities.
I volunteered with the NUS Students’ Community Service Club under the Project Touch the Hearts of the Elderly Seniors (Project T.H.E.S) to befriend elderly seniors who live in one-room rental flats in Geylang Bahru.
I also served with Unbeatable Charity, an informal non-profit group formed by my friends to crowdfund and distribute daily necessities to vulnerable communities over several regions in Singapore on a quarterly basis.
Spencer (first from left) distributing daily necessities and food items for rented flat residents sponsored by Unbeatable Charity, an informal charity organisation.
OSA: We understand that you’ve recently completed an internship with NParks. Can you tell us more about your experience?
I took a summer internship at NParks under the Long-Term Forest Ecology Monitoring Project. In my tenure, my tasks included leaf litter studies, phenology observations, and monitoring of target trees at the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. These efforts provide informed knowledge of the state of our natural environment and shed more attention on environmental conservation in Singapore.
Spencer doing tree re-surveys at Nee Soon Swamp Forest for his summer internship under NParks’ Long-Term Forest Ecology Monitoring project.
OSA: You are currently away on your Student Exchange Programme (SEP)? How do you plan to pursue your passion while you are overseas?
At Birmingham, United Kingdom, I plan to engage with student groups which specialise in biodiversity conservation to exchange valuable ideas with them. I also aim to visit the plethora of nature reserves and botanical gardens to gain more insights into how the natural environment is managed there.
OSA: What do you hope to continue to achieve in your remaining years in NUS?
I hope to continue achieving excellence in not just my studies, but also continue leading impactful environmental sustainability projects in campus and foster a stronger sense of community service amongst my peers. I hope that NUS swiftly achieve its net-zero targets!
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